World Business Council for Sustainable Development
The World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) is a non-profit organization that serves as a global platform for businesses of all sizes who want to lead efforts in sustainability and collaborate with other organizations that are focused on creating a sustainable future. Established in 1995, the WBCSD is made up of over 200 international companies from around the world, all committed to the advancement of sustainable development, from climate change and energy management to water stewardship and responsible production.
The WBCSD works to inspire and champion business leadership on global sustainability challenges, in order to create positive and lasting change for people, societies and the planet. The organization does this through action-oriented programs, research, initiatives and networks, as well as through encouraging collaboration and building awareness about the transition to a sustainable economy. Through these activities, the WBCSD helps companies innovate in areas including climate, energy, water, and the circular economy.
The guiding framework of the WBCSD is the Global Agenda 2030, which is a series of 10 high-level goals that businesses, policy-makers and other stakeholders must take action to meet. The Global Agenda 2030 outlines five core strategies that must be achieved in order to create a sustainable future. These strategies are: transitioning to a low-carbon economy; conserving natural resources and improving resource efficiency; creating sustainable cities and communities; promoting sustainable production and consumption; and strengthening resilience and adaptive capacity. With these strategies in place, the WBCSD believes that global sustainability can be achieved.
The WBCSD also takes on a number of collaborations and partnerships, having recently worked with the UN Global Compact, UN Environment and the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI). This collaboration is dedicated to advocating for sustainable solutions and provides businesses with access to the latest thinking, research, resources and practices on sustainability.
The WBCSD is well-known for its commitment to sustainability. The organization has a number of awards which recognize innovators and sustainable companies who are leading the way towards a sustainable future. In 2017, the WBCSD awarded the Solutions of the Year Award to a business for the first time for outstanding contribution to global sustainability action.
Overall, the WBCSD is a leading international organization in sustainability, advocating for businesses and governments to take responsible and sustainable action to promote a healthy environment and society. The WBCSD is helping to make better decisions, access resources, and find practical solutions that enable the transition to a sustainable world.
